Hormead Church of England (VA) First School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 117439 Inspection date 12/10/2011 Inspector Sarah Wignall

p.1

Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

p.1

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.3

Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

p.3

Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

p.3

Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and two adult children in the city of Plymouth in Devon. Children use all areas of the childminder's home. A garden is used for outdoor play activities. The setting is open each weekday from 8am until 6pm all year round.

p.4

Description of the childminding

A maximum of six children aged from birth to eight years may attend at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. There is currently one child attending who is within the early years age range. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder meets children's individual needs well. Overall, she provides a varied range of activities and resources that help them make good progress in their learning and development. Health and safety are given high priority. The childminder demonstrates a clear commitment to continuous improvement and regularly evaluates and reflects on her practice.

p.4

further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

p.4

further?

 develop the garden area further to enable children more opportunities to freely explore, use their senses and be physically active and exuberant across all areas of learning  give children more opportunities to respond to what they see, hear, smell, touch and feel by providing a wider range of creative resources, including natural materials.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder provides children with a safe and secure environment. She carries out regular risk assessments and daily checks to ensure all areas are safe and suitable for children's use. She has a good awareness of safeguarding and the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 action to take if concerned about children in her care. She has recently updated her policy and is booked to attend additional training in the near future. She carries out regular fire drills with the children which help to increase their awareness of fire safety. She ensures children are well supervised at all times and particularly when unchecked adults are present.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder organises her home well with most care taking place on the ground floor in the designated playroom. Children are provided with a varied range of resources which are easily accessible in low level storage boxes or placed on the floor for babies to reach. The childminder provides a suitable range of resources for children to use in their creative play, although these do not include natural materials. The childminder ensures that babies have access to a suitable range of age appropriate resources and she generally sorts and selects these before they arrive. Daily routines are flexible and are focused around their individual needs with time for rest and quiet play as well as fresh air and exercise. Good use is made of local toddler groups, providing them with opportunities to meet and play with others. The childminder makes some use of her garden for physical play but is not yet using it sufficiently to incorporate all areas of learning.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of children's individual needs and backgrounds. She helps them gain an understanding of difference and diversity through the use of books, toys and discussion. She clearly enjoys her role working closely with children. She keeps her knowledge and skills up to date through attending regular training courses and seeking support and advice from outside agencies. She acts on advice given and since her last inspection has addressed the recommendations set, increased and varied her range of resources and updated her policies and procedures. She regularly reflects on, and evaluates, aspects of her setting and the suitability of the activities she provides. This helps her to monitor children's progress. She works closely in partnership with parents and with other providers to ensure a shared approach to children's care and learning. Parents receive good quality written information each day through the use of

p.5

the early years provision

informative daily diaries and discussion. Learning journeys are shared with them and regular discussions about children's development take place. Letters of recommendation from parents confirm their satisfaction with the care their children receive.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Babies are very settled and content. They wake happily from sleep and enjoy the cuddles and comfort they receive from the childminder. She gently and sensitively settles them to play offering a range of age appropriate toys that interest and engage them. For instance, they are fascinated as they flick the pages on an electronic toy enjoying the sounds that it makes. The childminder sits on the floor with them encouraging them as she handles and shakes toys and they reach out to grasp them. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Babies show a very strong sense of belonging as they confidently greet new people with smiles and play happily by themselves and with the childminder nearby. The childminder offers high levels of supervision and support as they play and explore. For instance, she lies next to them as they roll and try to move. She offers gentle words of encouragement and praise as they reach out to touch the toys. They

p.5

and outcomes for children

respond positively as the childminder sings rhymes to them, demonstrating their enjoyment as they smile and gurgle when she stops speaking. Babies confidently make their needs known to the childminder for instance when tired or hungry. She responds promptly and positively ensuring that their physical and dietary needs are well met.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder ensures that home routines are followed resulting in babies that are easily settled and content. She provides daily access to fresh air as they walk to school each day to collect older children or visit the park. Babies are encouraged to touch and handle different resources helping them develop physical skills. The childminder offers some creative resources but has not yet extended this to include a wide range of natural resources to help children respond to what they see, hear, smell, touch and feel. Daily routines are flexible and based around babies individual needs. The childminder carries out observations of them and uses this to help her assess progress and plan next steps in development. For instance, she focuses her time on their social and emotional development as they become confident and familiar in her care. She uses photographs of babies and older children at play to demonstrate progress and to share with parents. Babies are beginning to develop

p.6

and outcomes for children

their early communication skills as they gurgle and babble. They have established positive relationships with the childminder and benefit from the close bond that has developed. They respond well to the childminder as she talks and sings to them and they enjoy investigating things repeatedly, for instance by shaking a rattle or flicking a switch. These early fundamental skills equip them well for the future. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

p.7

Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8